How Can I Help My Child Do Better on Standardized Tests?

Standardized tests are tests given to many students that can show how one student compares to many other students, locally and across the state or nation. Some standardized tests measure aptitude, or the student’s ability to learn. Other standardized tests measure achievement, or what students already know. Test results can tell parents and the school a lot about a student, but all tests are just a “snapshot” of a student.

 

How to Help Your Child Long Before the Test Date-

Find out when your child is being tested. Mark it on a calendar to avoid scheduling vacations, doctor or dentist visits, etc.

 Ask the school what you could do at home to help. Sometimes a review can be helpful. Don’t cram the night before the test!

Have your child attend supplemental instruction given before or after school. Students can get help in areas of weakness, learn test taking skills, and become more confident about their abilities.

Encourage your child to read. Reading helps sharpen the mind and prepares students for the test in many ways.


 

How to Help Your Child Just Before the Test-

Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep. Eight hours sleep is the minimum needed by students.

Make sure your child eats a good breakfast, at home or in school. Students need protein (eggs, milk, yoghurt, bacon) to make it through the morning. Too much sugar causes students to become tired by mid morning.

Be positive and supportive! Don’t be anxious or put too much pressure on your child. Tell your child to try hard and do the best he/she can.

Some Test Taking Hints-

Read the directions carefully and fully. If you don’t understand something, raise your hand and ask for help.

Skip a question and continue on if you don’t know the answer. Don’t spend too much time on any one question.

Pace yourself. Check how much time you have and when the test is over.

 Try to eliminate obviously wrong answers. If you can eliminate two out of four answers, you have a 50/50 chance of choosing the correct answer.

Make sure that you fill in the answer that matches the question. Be careful to put the answer in the right question space.

Plan before you write. Use the writing process and plan out your writing before you do it. Make sure you include all the ideas you wrote down.  Keep to the topic.

In math, estimate your answer before you do it. Then check your final answer with your estimate. Show all your work, mathematical and written.

Proofread your answers if you have time. Fix careless mistakes and check that you have done the best you can.